Winter leavers benefit from pathways initiative

A new programme targeting pupils in North Lanarkshire at the greatest risk of leaving school without a positive post-school destination has transformed the life chances of everyone who took part.

The winter leavers’ pathways programme was launched last May offering young people the opportunity to engage in a full-time curriculum linked to employment.

Winter leavers can often feel disadvantaged by having to stay at school until they reach 16 years, half way through the academic year at the end of December.

The group were previously three times more likely to leave school without a positive destination, such as further education, training, apprenticeships or employment, than their summer-leaving peers.

Councillor Frank McNally, convener of education and families, explained: “We identified 111 statutory winter leavers from each of our 23 secondary schools and 90 of them joined the programme between August and December last year.

“Of the 90 pupils, 33 are now in employment or an apprenticeship, 19 are in further education, 25 in training which will lead to employment, three are currently on an activity agreement and eight are continuing to receive support until they are work-ready and a relevant opportunity arises.”

Three programme co- ordinators worked with teachers, pupils and parents to shape the curriculum appropriate to the needs of each young person.

They collaborated closely with Routes to Work, New College Lanarkshire and local employers to create new opportunities for each of the winter leavers, who were asked about their aspirations.

Work placements were then identified within key growth sectors such as construction, health and social care and early education and childcare.

Councillor McNally added: “We’re determined that all our young people leave school and go on to benefit from a positive and sustained destination.

“The results have been incredibly successful – far more so than we’d hoped for.

“Some of the young people hadn’t attended school in the previous year but had full attendance on the programme.”

Cool customers Students who took part in the popular programme with Councillor McNally (right)